Solar Panel Repair Birkdale, Brisbane: Hail Damage Fixed

Bouncing Back After the Storm: Solar Panel Repair in Birkdale

Is there anything more stressful than the deafening roar of hail pelting down on your roof? While we often rush to check our cars and windows once the storm passes, there is one expensive investment that often gets overlooked until it is too late: the solar panels sitting exposed on the roof.

Storm season in Queensland can be unforgiving. Recently, Fallon Solutions was called to a home in Birkdale where the homeowner was dealing with the aftermath of a severe hailstorm. Their solar system had taken a direct hit, resulting in visible damage that threatened to shut down their power generation completely.

If you suspect your roof has taken a beating, knowing the signs of damage is the first step to saving your system. Here is how we helped this local resident get their solar back online.

The Problem: When Hail Meets Glass

The homeowner in Birkdale contacted us with a clear and urgent issue: “Solar panels damaged in the hail storm.”

Solar panels are built to be tough, with tempered glass designed to withstand standard weather impacts. However, large hailstones—or smaller stones driven by high winds—can exceed the breaking point of even the best panels.

What does Solar Panel Hail Damage look like? To the untrained eye looking up from the driveway, damage isn’t always obvious. However, up close, the signs are clear:

• Shattered Glass: The most severe sign. The glass may look like a “spiderweb” of cracks. While it might still hold its shape, the seal is broken.
• Micro-Cracks: These are hairline fractures that are hard to see but can disrupt the flow of electricity across the silicon cells.
• Dented Frames: Impacts on the aluminium frame can warp the structure, putting stress on the glass.

Leaving damaged panels on the roof is a significant risk. Once the glass is compromised, water can seep inside. This creates a dangerous path for high-voltage electricity to escape, potentially causing a fire or energising the metal frames of your system.

The Solution: Expert Replacement and System Check

Upon arrival, our Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited electrician conducted a comprehensive solar panel inspection to assess the safety of the entire array.

Simply “patching up” a solar panel isn’t possible. Once the vacuum seal is broken, the panel must be replaced to ensure electrical safety. Here is how we executed the solar panel repair:

1. Safety Isolation: We immediately isolated the solar system at the inverter and the roof-top isolators. This cuts the power, ensuring our technicians can work safely without the risk of electric shock from the damaged components.
2. Damage Assessment: We physically inspected every panel. We identified which specific units had sustained impact damage and needed removal. We also checked the mounting rails to ensure the storm hadn’t loosened the bolts holding the system to the roof.
3. Panel Replacement: We removed the damaged panels and replaced them with high-quality units that matched the electrical specifications (voltage and wattage) of the existing array. Matching the specs is crucial to ensure the system performs efficiently.
4. Wiring Check: We inspected the cabling and connectors behind the panels. Hail can sometimes bruise or cut cables, so we verified that the wiring insulation was intact.
5. Re-commissioning: Once the new panels were secured, we turned the system back on. We tested the output to ensure the solar fix was successful and that the system was generating full power again.

The Benefits for the Homeowner

Acting quickly to address storm damage offers significant peace of mind and financial benefits:

• Electrical Safety: Removing smashed panels eliminates the very real risk of water ingress causing an electrical fire or a dangerous short circuit.
• Restored Production: A single damaged panel can drag down the performance of the entire “string” of panels. Replacing it restores the system to full capacity, lowering electricity bills once again.
• Insurance Compliance: A professional solar system check and repair report provides the documentation needed for insurance claims.

Longevity: Fixing the damage now prevents moisture from corroding the rest of the system, ensuring the healthy panels last for years to come.

Why Choose Fallon Solutions?

After a storm, you need a team that knows exactly what they are doing. Solar panels involve high-voltage DC electricity, which behaves differently from the AC power in your wall sockets.

When you search for “solar panel inspection” in Birkdale, you need accredited experts. At Fallon Solutions, we are Master Electricians and solar specialists. We don’t just look for cracks; we test the electrical integrity of the system to ensure it is safe to turn back on. We can source replacement panels for a wide range of systems, ensuring a seamless repair that gets your lights back on.

Repair Your Hail Damage Today

Don’t let hail damage linger on your roof. A cracked panel is a safety hazard that won’t fix itself. If your home has been in the path of a recent storm, a professional inspection is the only way to be sure your system is safe.

If you are concerned about solar panel hail damage or need a repair in Birkdale or the Redlands area, don’t take the risk. Contact the experts at Fallon Solutions today for a comprehensive inspection!